Bituminous composition



Patented Mar. 15,1927.

' U ITED STATES PATIENT em enn'srnn xrnacnnnaon, or onrcaeo, rumors.

IBITUMIIYOUS COMPOSITION.

. 1W0 Drawing.

This invention relates 'to a process and product of'forming a non-fluid or. non-fusible; bituminous binder or composition. Inthe particular embodiment of. this inventionthe product desiredto be produced results from the emulsification of a fusible bituminous binder with bentonite or analogous, argilliferous substances in an aqueous vehicle and the'subsequent removal, of the aqueous medium without agitatlom.

This application is in part an improve ment of co-pending application filed by me;

, Serial #463,945, April 23rd, 1921'.

One process by which this. product may be formed is described in the" above referred to application and in order to produce the result desired requires only the predetermination of the quantity and character of bentonite or analogous argillaceous emulsifying agent .or agents used in forming the emulsion.

It should be understood that the desired product comprises only the water-free residue of the process above referred to with such modifications of content of bentonite or analogous agent or agents as are required to bring about the desired result.

I have found that in carrying out the above process if a quantity of bentonite is used which is in excess of one-tenth of the amount of asphalt emulsified that the resulting product when allowed to dry without disturbance, produces a bituminous composi-' tion which is apparently homogeneous, adhesive, waterproof, and possesses considerable ductility. In actual practice, it has been found advantageous to employ considerably less than thirty. per cent, and not more than forty per cent, of bentonite relative to the asphalt emrilsified. It is characterized by its ability to resist heat withoutflowing or becoming liquid. If a sheet or relatively thick film of this material, (say thick) which has been spread and dried on a metal surface be subjected while in an inclined position to the action of intense heat on. the surface thereof (as from a Bunsen burner) the bituminous composition described will not flow or run as would be the case with the original asphalt used, but would retain its position without exhibiting Application filed April 25,1824. Serial No. 708,887.

the volatile matter, without change of shape or structure.

This property of the bituminous inaterial described above is of value in connection with roofing'or waterproofingwherein the bituminous material mavbe applied to inclined surfaces or vertical walls or to stacks which are highly heated and tolike structures requiring protection against heat, corrosion or theac'tion of the elements.

It is evident that the peculiar property as developed by this bituminous compositidnis n theremoval of the water without agitation, these films remain in place preserving a film orhoneycomb structure in the coalesced endproduct. If these films above referred to are sufiiciently strong and durable to persist in the coalesced end product, the end productpos sesses the characteristics of a, gel, thereby losing its ability to fuse and become fluid under the-action of heat. This is strongly indicated bv the fact that the same. bituminous emulsion which will produce nonfusible end product in the absence of agitation (after removal of water) will, if agitated or disturbed, produce a fusible end product, indicating the effect of agitation in breaking up the gel or honeycomb strucure produced by the emulsifying agent or agents.

It will be understood then, that in applying this-composition in a practical way, as for lnstance, to. a vertical, concrete wall for i J.

waterproofing purposes, the-emulsified material will. be spread over' the walLas a heavy plaster andallo'wed to dryout by naturalmeans, and without agitation or disturbance" of the coating thus formed, veither during the any indications of fluidity. When the com-' position has been subjected to sufiicient heat to drive off volatile constituents, these volatile constituents may take fire and the mass may become destroyed by the removal of drying operation or after the material has become set. In this way, the infusible character of'the'plastic will be preserved and the product will possess the characteristics described above. v

Lituminous material of wide variety can be converted to this form almost regardless of the melting point of the original material. That is, it ispossible to use asphalt ortar or animal or vegetable pitch having, say, a

Even more or less liquid hydrocarbons, as

for instance, heavy petroleum residuum, may be converted to this infusible formby use of the re u1siie quantity of bentonite or similar emu sit'ving agent or agents.

The process may be carried out in accordance with the disclosure of said (so-pending application which briefly may be as folowsr' An aqueous paste-may be formed of bentonite and water. Aismgle bentonite may be used by itself or there may be employed a combination of bentonites with clays having varying properties, or a combination of bentonites with other emulsifying materials, either argilliferous or otherwise.

This aqueous paste is preferably brought to about the temperature of the melting point of the bituminous material which is to be emulsified. The bituminous material, in liquid condition, and at a temperature of approximately 100 deg. above its melting point, may be slowly added'to the aqueous paste with thorough agitation so as to produce dispersion of the bituminous material.

Water may be added from time to time as the batch thickens in order to maintain a desired viscosity in the batch, as well as a regulated'temperature, while further additions of bitumen are being made.

When the desired amount of bitumen rela tive to the emulsifying agent has been incorporated, the. batch is completed and the pasty mass is read for use.

It should be un erstood thatthe proportions of bentonite to asphalt indicated above Wlll be varied with the character of the benways such as to tonite and the character 'of the bituminous material, the amount of the latter being alproduce in the end 'product the characteristic infusibility referred to' above.

structure of such stability I am aware that heretofore, compositions have been produced in which emulsifying agents of varying properties have been employe hbutl believe I am the first to discover that by regulating or controlling the quantity and the character of the emulsifying agents employed, the character of the of such stability as to Withstand flow un- 'der heat substantially above the melting point of the base. I

2. An infusible composition comprising a major portion of a normally fusible bitumen pitch type base, and a minor portion of bentonite said com osit on ossessin a gel or.

a P P g honeycomb-like struc ure of such stability as to withstand flow under heat.

3. An infusible composition comprising a major portion of a normally fusible bitumen pitch type base, and a minor portion,

substantially ten per cent, of bentonite, saidcomposition possessing a gel or honeycomblike structure of such stability as to withstand flow under heat substantially above the melting point of the base.

4. An infusible composition comprising a major portion of a normally fusible bitumen pitch type base, and a minor poi'tion of bentonite-like material, the bitumen present greatly predominating relative to the amount of bentonite-like material, said composition possessing a gel or honeycomb-like as to withstand flow under any heat conditions.

5. An infusible bituminous composition derived from an emulsion of bitumen and a material possessing substantially the functions of bentonite, the amount of bitumen present in the composition greatly exceedingthat of the-bentonite-like material, the said composition being characterized by a smallportion of the bentonite-like material relative to the bitumen present, and the ability of the composition to withstand flowing to the point of decomposition temperature of thebitumen.

LESTER KIRSCHBRAUN. 

